In May 2005, Catholic School For Me (CS4ME) - a group of parents in Southern Madison County who are committed to Catholic K-12 education - conducted a survey of families with children currently attending grades K-6 in six area Catholic grade schools (St. Mary in Edwardsville, St. Boniface in Edwardsville, St. John Neumann in Maryville, Ss. Peter & Paul in Collinsville, St. Elizabeth in Granite City, and Holy Family in Granite City). The survey was sent home with the students and was returned by the parents to the respective school offices. Upon collection of the returned surveys, CS4ME recorded and analyzed the data per the following report.

333 families returned surveys, representing 492 children (40% of the total K-6 students in these six Catholic grade schools.

Today, 27% of the parents surveyed are considering sending their children to a Catholic high school. The overwhelming reason that the other 73% are not considering a Catholic high school is the opinion that current choices are "too far away."

However, if a Catholic high school were established "closer," 87% of parents surveyed would "definitely" or "seriously" consider sending their child to it.

40% of parents surveyed said it is very important to them that their children attend a Catholic high school. 55% said it is more important that their children attend what they feel to be a "good" high school rather than a Catholic high school. 5% had no opinion.

If a new Catholic high school were established, 45% said they would be willing to pay $3,200 a year in tuition (the approximate tuition at Mater Dei in Breese). 40% said they would be willing to pay $4,500 a year in tuition (the approximate tuition at Alton Marquette and Belleville Althoff). 14% said they would be willing to pay even more.

When asked how long they would be willing to drive to a new school, 95% of parents said they would be willing to drive 15 minutes. Current choices are perceived to be 30 minutes away.

Parents were asked what they would be willing to donate over three years toward the establishment of a new Catholic high school. Based on the concept alone, 180 families indicated pledge amounts totaling $319,600. It should be noted that this amount is far less than the millions of dollars needed. However, if a plan were in action fundraising efforts would reach out to all Catholic parishioners, businesses, etc. in the region. $319,600 represents just those families who completed the survey and these are the same families who would also be paying tuition to attend the high school.

CS4ME certainly views these results as extremely positive, and it views the percentage of families who took the time to complete the survey very encouraging especially given that the surveys were distributed during the hectic end of the school year. These results show the passion area parents have for Catholic education. The area's growing population and Catholic support seem to be great positives. However, as in all endeavors of this nature, clearly raising the necessary funds to establish and maintain a high school are the most pressing concerns going forward.

CS4ME's next steps will most likely be to raise "seed" money to hire professionals to conduct an independent feasibility study, approximate costs for establishing a new building and/or renovating an existing one, and estimate an operating budget. These options will include both new construction as well as converting existing buildings. Once CS4ME has some qualified cost approximations, it can meet seriously with area parents, area pastors, and the Springfield Diocese about next steps including fundraising.

CS4ME's next board meeting will be in August.